I read an account recently involving President Dwight Eisenhower. He was vacationing in Denver, Colorado and read in the local paper about a six-year-old boy, named Paul, living in the area that had a life-threatening illness. In the article, it was noted that he desired to meet the president of the United States. Spontaneously, in a gracious gesture, he decided to answer the boy’s request. Unannounced Eisenhower arrived at the boy’s house. The boy’s father, Dale Haley, answered the door. Can you imagine being the one to open the door and see standing there the president? For some time the whole neighborhood excitedly talked about this remarkable visit. However, one remembered the meeting with personal regret. Dale, the boy’s father, was still beating himself up on being dressed in old worn-out clothes and unshaven. Of course, the president had shown up unannounced, so Dale was unprepared.
Over three hundred times the New Testament addresses another unexpected arrival. Not of a U.S. President, but of the King of Kings and Lord of the universe. Of course, we are speaking of the return of Christ – His second coming. The good news is that although Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected, we can be prepared. The simple truth is that much of what has been written in the New Testament was written to prepare people for His return. John encourages Christ-followers to “abide in Christ, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming” (1 Jn 2:28).
In our preparation, we need to be cautious not to become obsessed with the second coming and fall into speculative theology. However, we must not avoid the reality of Christ return. We ought to stay focused on the essentials that all Christians, in all places, at all times, have believed about the return of Christ. It is essential to keep the main thing the main thing by knowing God and making Him known.
The nature of Christ’s return is clearly laid out in Scripture. Christ’s return will be personal (Mt 16:27; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16). Christ’s return will be visible. Having disappeared from sight at His ascension, He will reappear at His return (1 Tim 6:14; 1 Jn 3:3). Christ’s return will be glorious and powerful (Mt 24:30-31). Christ came as a humble servant; He will return as triumphant King. Christ’s return is certain to happen, but uncertain when it will happen (Mt 24-25).
The purpose of Christ’s return is clearly laid out in Scripture. Christ will be acknowledged as Lord and King (Rev 1:7; Ps 2:12; Is 40:5; Tit 2:13). The church of Christ will be glorified and transformed (2 Thess 1:10; Col 3:1 Col 3:3). Christ will judge the living and the dead (Jn 5:22, 27; Mt 25:31-33). The second coming is the coming of the Righteous Judge. Christ will make all things new (Rom 8:18-25; 1 Cor 15:35-53; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1).
In light of all we understand biblically about the return of Christ a question rises to the surface: How do we prepare for Christ’s coming? Whenever Christ or the apostles taught on the second coming, they did so to answer the question of how we ought to live today. Our anticipation of Christ’s return encourages us to pursue holiness and godliness (1 Jn 3:3; Heb 10:24-25). Our anticipation of Christ’s return moves us to faithful service (Mt 24:45-25:30). Our anticipation of Christ’s return shapes our understanding and engagement in the mission of the church (Mt 28:18-20). Our anticipation of Christ’s return inspires us to endure hardship patiently. This inspiration is in view as James writes to fellow believers undergoing great persecution, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (Jas 5:7-8). Anticipating Christ’s return fills us with joyful confidence (Tit 2:13; 1 Jn 2:28). We discover in Scripture that eager anticipation of the return of Christ is a mark of vital Christianity (Phil 3:20; tit 2:13; Jude 21). Stephen Seamands suggest that the reason many believers today do not anticipate the return of Christ is that, “We just don’t miss Him enough, long to be with Him enough or desire enough that He be with us.” He declares in response, “we need to repent and pray, imploring Jesus to forgive us and to increase our love-passion for Him.”
Although the time of Christ’s coming is unknown to us, we know He is coming. We don’t need to be unprepared. As we know Him and make Him known we live prepared lives ready and waiting for His return.
It is an honor to serve Christ with each of you. I hope all of us can pray, “Come Lord Jesus.” Together let’s anticipate and prepare for Christ’s return. Let us encourage one another to “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19).